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Volunteer Opportunity on Flood-damaged Forest Trails near Estes Park

FORT COLLINS, Colo.– As part of the flood recovery process, the Poudre Wilderness Volunteers (PWV) are helping the Forest Service by coordinating volunteer trail work on the Lion Gulch Trail May 24 and 25.

Volunteers of all skill levels can participate, but must be at least 18 years old. Work will include moving rocks and downed trees, reestablishing trail and helping with drainage issues. Some work has already been done on portions of this trail to help make the area safer for volunteers.

Damage done to the first few miles of this trail was bad, but nothing compared to the middle part of the trail, where the trail is all but gone. Some analysis will be needed before this portion of the trail can be repaired. The Lion Gulch Trail will remain closed even after this volunteer trail work, until its length is safe for the public.

Due to limited parking at the trailhead, volunteers can carpool from the Forest Service parking lot in Fort Collins or at a parking lot at the corner of Wilson and Eisenhower in Loveland. Details will be provided when volunteers sign up. Those wanting to volunteer can sign up at http://www.poudrewildernessvolunteers.org/restoration.

Volunteers need to wear long sleeved shirts and pants (no shorts) and work boots. Be sure to bring water and snacks. Hard hats, gloves and tools will be provided, along with lunch.

More volunteer trail work days could be planned in the future. For additional work about flood recovery efforts or future events on the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland, check the web at www.fs.usda.gov/goto/arp/floodrecovery.